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Belfry of San Fransico Church, Queretaro, Mexico
Home Destinations Central America Mexico The Colonial Heartland

Colonial Heartland

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Many of Mexico’s most beautiful colonial cities are located within the historically rich interior of central Mexico. Essentially, the opulent cities of Guanajuato, Morelia and San Miguel de Allende represent the colonial heartlands, founded on the wealth of silver mining.

Each city has its own unique personality but the sheer grandeur of the colonial and baroque architecture is evident throughout the labyrinth of narrow cobble-stoned streets and peaceful tree-shaded plazas, providing a glimpse of the outstanding wealth of this region at the time.

Mexico Day of the dead Shutterstock
Mexico

A little more about the Colonial Heartland

There are many other attractions to the colonial heartlands. From late autumn, the trees in the Biosphere Reserve of Michoacan State turn fiery orange in a colourful spectacle announcing the migratory arrival of millions of Monarch butterflies.

Mexico’s unique celebration of life and death takes part annually in November. The Day of the Dead festival is celebrated nationally but is particularly renowned at the lakeside town of Patzcuaro and the nearby island of Janitzio which is besieged by those honouring their ancestors in a parade of decorated boats, music and dance.

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Need Holiday Inspiration?
Browse our Mexico holiday ideas.

Our Mexico experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

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Travel to Mexico’s little-visited Copper Canyon, exploring its extraordinary network of passageways on foot and horseback, before moving on to the place that explorer Jacques Cousteau called “the world’s aquarium”. This is the archetypal adventure for whale-loving wayfarers and those…
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13 days from $11,375pp
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View Holiday Idea
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An exploration of the ancient Maya sites of Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras, this holiday strikes the perfect balance between world-renowned archaeological sites, authentic cultural experiences and some of the most visually stunning landscapes in the Americas.
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View Holiday Idea
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View Holiday Idea
View all holiday ideas

Need Holiday Inspiration?
Browse our Mexico holiday ideas.

Our Mexico experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

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View Holiday Idea
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Uncover the secrets of southern Mexico while travelling between ancient Zapotec capitals and fertile valleys, taking…
20 days from $12,935pp
Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca, Mexico
View Holiday Idea

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

John Faithfull
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John Faithfull

Over multiple trips, John has immersed himself in the natural and cultural highlights of this huge country. He has had close encounters with grey whales off Baja’s Pacific coast, swam with whale sharks in the Caribbean, attended shaman rituals in Chiapas and sought out some of Mexico City’s finest Mezcalerias.

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